“This smells delicious Cole. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for me.”
She hung her head a bit remembering all the times he’d stepped in to save her the last couple of days. What would she have done without him?
“Hey.” Maeve felt Cole’s fingers at her chin, turning her to look up.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else Maeve.” He leaned down, placing a soft but rather electric kiss on her lips. “If you’d let me, I’d like to hang around a whole lot more.”
Before she could stand to meet him face to face, overwhelmed with feelings she hadn’t had in a very long time for a man, he’d knelt down to her level, placing a hand at the nape of her neck.
“You really want to?” Maeve innocently questioned.
Then he laughed, right before he kissed her again, with much more strength and full of purpose.
Hovering at her lips he breathed heavy. “Maeve, you really are an amazing woman. Yes, I definitely want to spend more time with you, as much as you’ll allow.”
This time she kissed him back, her hands roaming over his deliciously unshaven face to his neck where they latched on like a lifeline. At some point, Maeve realized they’d moved away from the table, and she was wrapped in his arms.
“I could stay like this all day, Cole.”
“Oh honey, don’t you dare tempt me. I’d like nothing better than to take that robe off you and drag you back to your room, but we have some things to take care of today. You better eat before I throw caution to the wind and do just that.”
Maeve laughed but kissed him again and sat in front of the breakfast he’d prepared. Hadn’t taken long to finish, they were both hungrier than they realized. Afterward, Maeve went in for a quick shower while Cole cleaned up the kitchen.
Chapter11
Cole needed a cold shower to tap down all the testosterone he had moving through his system. Maeve felt amazing in his arms, and he wanted nothing more than to drag her back to the bedroom and love on her all day but he’d only known her for a few days. Would she think he was rushing her a bit? A lot of his buddies wouldn’t hesitate to sleep with a girl the first night, but he wasn’t really a one night stand kinda guy anymore. Oh, he had been once or twice but standing in Maeve’s house, those memories were starting to make him cringe. He wanted something more; permanent, lasting. He wanted the happy ever after. He wanted Maeve.
As if he weren’t already on high alert where she was concerned, he suffered a serious jolt to his chest as he watched her walk toward him, all dressed and fresh from a shower.
“You look beautiful.” He kind of figured compliments made her nervous. Her face flushed every time he said something.
“Thank you, Cole. Did you want to shower?”
“I probably need one but there’s no time, we have to get down to your shop. I called one of my construction buddies earlier and he’ll be there within the hour to fix the back door. I also called another friend about getting you some security in there.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to do that. I’m sure Chloe and I could figure out something.”
“I know and I’m sure you’re both more than capable,” he said as he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, “but I wanted to. Your safety is important to me and anyway, it’s already arranged.”
She didn’t say another word, only blushed and went for her keys and pocketbook on the counter, heading toward the door. With a locked apartment behind them, they set off toward the sandwich shop and another joyous visit from the fire inspector.
Twenty minutes later they walked into the alley behind the shop.
“It looks so different and less menacing during the daytime, doesn’t it?” Maeve had cuddled herself closer and gripped Cole’s hand just in case.
“I know how you feel. Last night shook me up a little too. Hey, there’s my buddy Mark. I’ll introduce you.”
They approached the man wearing a hard hat and a tool belt. Cole introduced Maeve and gave him some information about the break-in the night before.
“Whew, sounds like a real piece of work whoever’s doing this. I’ll get it all boarded and secured tight. No one will be breaking it down and I’m pretty sure I can have the replacement door installed tomorrow.”
“Mark, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you getting here so quickly.”
“No worries, ma’am, any friend of Cole’s is a friend of mine.”
The rest of their day went quickly, consumed with another not so pleasant meeting with the fire inspector who seemed gruffer and more resentful every time they spoke. The securitycompany showed midafternoon and measured the space for cameras and alarms on the doors and windows. Chloe joined the couple for a late afternoon lunch and helped clean up the kitchen in hopes they’d be able to open back up in a few days.
***
